European Peace Conference on Perpetrator-Victim Dynamics

"We are not at war, but not at peace either," said the new NATO Chief, Mark Rutte. “If you want peace, prepare for war." Is Europe at a crossroad towards more polarization, identity politics, and war? Reflections on our human nature may help us find a sensible way forward.
At this year's peace conference, the first of its kind, an international group of scholars, experts and practitioners, will seek ways to explore how perpetrator-victim dynamics run through our lives, families, business and politics. With guest lectures, workshops, and both personal and group reflections, we seek to embody the latest expertise from research on war and peace.
Location:
Amsterdam
Date:
July 21-30, 2025
"Since I was about 6 years old I have been dreaming of organizing peace conferences. This is the first one of its kind. It will bring together experts who seek to speak about unconscious processes of war and peace." (Oscar Westra van Holthe)

Conference Program 2025

Day 1 & 2 | The power of transgenerational violence

intergenerational transference perpetrator victim dynamics

Are we born innocently? In these two days, we will explore the legacies of transgenerational histories. How do war, genocide, and slavery affect our sense of peace today? And how is violence passed on from society to family, from parents to children? You will learn to work with the intergenerational transference model.

Linda Nooitmeer

Colonial expert

Sue Lieberman

Psychotherapist

Dr. Ralf Vogt

Psychoanalyst

Eva Weil

Psychoanalyst

Day 3 & 4 | The dance of perpetrators and victims

perpetrator victim dance

Can we all become perpetrators? In these two days, we will explore our inner perpetrator and victim sides. We will also seek to understand how we can become perpetrators to our loved ones, destructive leaders in organisations, and criminals within society. You will learn to work with the infinite role exchange model.

Dr. Joost Kampen

Change researcher

Alemka Dauskardt

Family Constellator

Elien van Oostendorp

GZ family therapist

Juliet Grayson

PBSB therapist

Day 5

The growing gap

polarization black white protest

How do we get stuck in perpetrator and victim roles? On this day, we will explore how we get polarised debates, groups, and camps. What makes us see the world in terms of black and white? How do we lose common ground? You will learn to work with the yin-yang model.

Prof. mr. Bram Sizoo

Psychiatry advisor

Monique Cuppen

Pesso therapist

Day 6

Deepening conflicts

perpetrator-victim dynamics conference

How do conflicts escalate? On this day, we will explore what leads to dynamics of war. How do opinions and reactive action loops lead to extremism? What actions are disapproved of, criminalised, and fought against? You will learn to work with the propellor model.

Eric Schouten

Security expert

Robin Boardman

Co-founder XR

Day 7

The world of power play

power play competition perpetrator victim

How do perpetrators and victims compete with each other? On this day, we will dive into the typologies of overt and covert rivalry. More specifically, we will dive into the dynamics of institutional complicity in violence. You will learn to work with the competition model.

Justice researcher

Prof. dr. Nicole Immler

Frits van den Heuvel van Varik

Defense expert

Day 8 & 9 | Framing and blaming in cancel cultures

perpetrator victim dance

How do perpetrators and victims frame and blame each other? In these two days, we will dive into the dynamics of misrepresentation by the government, media, historians, and society. How do we maximise our own ‘good’ side and distract attention away from our ‘bad’ side? You will learn to work with the framing model.

Prof. Umut Özkirimli

Political researcher

Frederique Petit

Practical philosopher

Hans Faber

Justice inspector

Hilbrand Westra

Trauma expert

Day 10

The way forward

forward looking heart limitations perpetrator victim dynamics

What’s next? On the last day of our 10-day conference, we will together formulate ways to move past destructive perpetrator-victim dynamics. What does future research look like based on our reflections, experiences, and the systemic models? And what does it mean for practitioners like therapists, policy makers and journalists? We will formulate hands-on recommendations and projects.

Dagmar Punter

Peace researcher

Oscar Westra van Holthe

Initiator conference

Daily schedule

09:00-10:00   Theme introduction

10:30-12:00   Reflection workshop

12:00-13:00   Expert guest lecture #1

14:30-16:30   Skills training workshop

17:00-18:00   Expert guest lecture #2

18:00-18:30   Interactive group closure

Learning tracks

During the days, participants will join one of the five professional learning tracks:

 

Track 1  European researchers/academics

Track 2  Therapists, psychologists/analysts

Track 3  Politicians, journalists, and media

Track 4  Government and business officials

Track 5  Students, activists, and citizens

Program background

The conference program is based upon Oscar’s thinking about perpetrator-victim dynamics within his systemic certification program. He came across the topic through his psychological work with suicidal clients, couples, entrepreneurs, climate activists, and politicians. At the conference, we will seek ways to better deal with perpetrator-victim dynamics in both our personal and work lives.

Ambassadors and volunteers

This conference is not possible without its ambassadors and volunteers.

Lammert van Raan

Former MP-NL

Prof. dr. Ingrid Robeyns

Ethics philosopher

Michael Nord

Change manager

Heleen Iordens

Training actor

Do you want to experience how hands-on therapy can be combined with concepts from sociology, criminology, philosophy, and politics?

Step 1 | Get your early bird tickets now

Note: In order to purchase your ticket, you will be forwarded to oscarwestravanholthe.com.

Online

€ 2,500 (5,000)

coaching begeleiding systeemtherapie en lichaamsgerichte therapie suicidaliteit jongeren

✦   Online 10-day attendance

✦   Onboarding interview

✦   Online module access

✦   Downloadable resources

✦   Certificate of completion

In person

€ 5,500 (9,500)

systemisch werk expert professional training coach

✦   Live event 10-day attendance

✦   Guest lectures with Q&A

✦   Skills training workshops

✦   Grow your expert network

✦   Everything from online

Sponsor tickets

€ 9,500 (25,000)

gezondheidszorg psychologische begeleiding amsterdam

✦   Send one colleague per day

✦   Sponsor mention in mail

✦   Product placement(s)

✦   Website referral link(s)

✦   Sponsor badge at event

Single day tickets

In person from € 750 (1,000)

systemisch leiderschap teamcoach zuidas amsterdam oscar westra van holthe

✦   Choice: event or online

✦   The day reflection report

✦   Online submodule access

✦   Downloadable resources

✦   Day attendance certificate

Step 2 | Book your onboarding interview

Did you already book your ticket? Please schedule your onboarding interview. Do you still have questions

before making the decision to attend? Let’s discuss that too in a commitment-free onboarding interview.

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Attention: After booking your timeslot, please confirm again with the green button. Once it has succeeded, you will get
an e-mail. Do you experience any issues? Please whatsapp Oscar and the organizing team directly at +31616261381.